Research

USDA Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin, Postdoctoral 2014-2019
 

2019 – Picea (Spruce) DNA Barcoding for Wood Identification Project

This project uses DNA sequence information to separate Norway spruce from the most economically important American species: Picea rubens, P. mariana, P. glauca, P. engelmannii and P. sitchensis. For this project, I extracted DNA from leaves and wood, performed PCR and digestion using restriction enzymes, produced written reports, performed analyses, trained staff, tracked the project budget, defined laboratory needs, and managed ordering and purchasing of laboratory equipment and reagents.

 

2017-2018 – DNA Microcapture for Wood Identification Project

I spearheaded this project in which we developed a novel technique of organellar microcapture to extract individual microscopically intact nuclei (and amyloplasts) from wood. I designed the project, selected the samples, extracted nuclei, performed PCR and prepared the material to sequence. I also captured the images and videos and wrote the manuscript. Since this is a novel method, I also trained staff and tracked project budget, defined laboratory needs and managed ordering and purchasing of laboratory equipment and reagents.

 

2016 - Machine Vision Wood Identification Project

This project aimed to classify CITES-listed and other neotropical Meliaceae wood images using convolutional neural networks. For this project I worked on data collection and processing, selected and prepared the samples for imaging, and compiled more than 32000 images of 200 genera and 600 species. I also led the effort to post some of the images to a social media platform to raise awareness of the group's research efforts.

 

2016 – NIRS for Wood Identification Project

This study explored the efficacy of hand-held NIRS technology to discriminate the spectra of some high-value Dalbergia wood species listed in CITES Appendix I and II.  I performed specimen collection, surface preparation, and near-infrared spectra data collection, in cooperation with Dr. Tereza Pastore and Jez Braga, LPF – Brasília and USB, respectively.

 

2014-2015 – Mesomechanical Bordered Pit Displacement Project

This project demonstrated the elastic properties of bordered pit membranes by directly actuating the membranes with a micromechanical testing apparatus. I collected specimens, sectioned and mounted wood specimens, conducted force–displacement measurements on a mesomechanical testing system, captured images and recorded videos, and compiled and handled data for subsequent analyses. This project garnered the cover of the scientific journal Plant, Cell and Environment.

 

Institute of Technological Research of São Paulo, Brazil – Forest Products Division

 

Laboratory Supervisor 1998–2003

 

• Supervised team, delegated work tasks, created work schedules, conducted training and led group meetings.

• Performed tropical wood identification, kept records of customers and samples, and prepared budgets and technical reports.

• Curated the largest xylarium in Latin America from 2000 to 2003 containing 20,000 samples of wood from all over the world.

• Produced a CD entitled “Timber for furniture and construction”6. Selected the 50 most important commercial wood species and gathered information on environmental aspects, anatomical structure of wood, deteriorating organisms, preservative treatments, and wood uses.

• Lecturer for the “Macroscopic Identification of Wood” course for design students in collaboration with Escola de Belas Artes.

• Developed and maintained laboratory quality assurance according to NBR ISO 9002: 1994 and NBR ISO IEC 17025: 2001 acting as the lead manager in internal and external audits.

 

Laboratory Intern 1995 - 1998

 

• Biodeterioration of wood and wood products

• Wood preservation

• Evaluation of wood preservatives

• Maintenance of fungi cultures

• Assembly, monitoring and evaluation of biodeterioration tests for different materials according to ASTM and AWPA standards